Manila, Philippines, Apr 24, 2007 / 11:39 am (CNA).- A good politician is a person who loves and respects God and is ready to sacrifice personal, group or party interests for the sake of national unity, peace and progress, said Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, archbishop of Manila, in a pastoral letter issued in view of parliamentary elections May 14.

Furthermore, a good politician is guided by an upright and well formed conscience, is attentive to the problems and wellbeing of the people; lives by moral principles, respects nature and leads others to do the same, the Cardinal added.

According to Fides, the Cardinal cited the Catholic Church’s social doctrine and said it is important to elect candidates known for their honesty, transparency and justice in both private and public life, and that the choice must be guided by moral criteria.

“Votes cannot be sold or exchanged for favors, or conditioned by any form of coercion. Votes must go to the best possible leaders,” he reportedly wrote.

“The elections are a process in which we choose leaders committed to working with the people to achieve the common good,” he said.